The SPFL have confirmed they believe there is sufficient support for permanent reconstruction of Scottish football to take it to a second consultation phase.
Neil Doncaster has been locked in talks with member clubs this week after Hearts and Rangers awaited feedback on their respective proposals.
Hearts owner Ann Budge put forward a 14-14-14 set up as a starting point, while Rangers’ would have seen Colt teams from themselves and Celtic entered into League Two.
Neither option is a goer, but enough clubs have indicated they would consider a permanent switch to a 14-10-10-10 model on order to put it to a vote.
Such a move would see Hearts retain their top flight status, while Partick Thistle and Stranraer wouldn’t be relegated to League One and League Two respectively.
The two vacant spots in the bottom tier would be filled by Lowland League champions Kelty Hearts and Highland League winners Brora Rangers.
Clubs must issue their return slips by 10am in Monday, when the SPFL will know whether the proposal will be put to a resolution or not.
“We’ve been consulting with our clubs regarding possible reconstruction in recent weeks and asked all 42 clubs to give their views.
“Now that 41 out of 42 clubs have responded, it is clear that there is enough support for a permanent 14-10-10-10 structure to merit a second consultation stage and we have written to clubs asking for an indicative ‘vote’ on whether that is something they would vote in favour of if it was included in a detailed formal resolution,” said Doncaster.
“It’s important to underline that this is not a binding vote and is intended only to steer the board on whether to put forward a formal resolution for voting on, or not.”
The financial distribution model would be changed as a result of the proposal being voted through, which would require a change to the SPFL’s articles of association.
To do this, the support of a minimum of 32 SPFL clubs will be required.
Clubs have also been asked if the noticed period required to call an EGM to vote on any resolution can be reduced to seven days, given the need to organise fixtures lists ahead of the new season.
Doncaster continued: “Understandably, the consultation exercise confirmed there is sympathy for those clubs relegated at the end of Season 2019/20, but also that there is no reasonable prospect of clubs approving a temporary reconstruction solution.
“However, the board has judged there is sufficient support for a permanent change to merit this second stage of consultation.
“As ever, it will be up to the clubs to decide whether or not to support this proposal and we will be guided by the democratic outcome of the process.
"We are understandably keen to get clarity one way or another at the start of next week, as the timescales are extremely tight and we are faced with the additional complexities of resuming the season, caused by Covid-19.”
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